Political solution only way out in Valley, says Omar Abdullah

New Delhi: Opposition leaders, led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah, met President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday and requested him to urge the central government to find a solution to the ongoing crisis in Kashmir politically rather than administratively.

“The failure of the Central government to acknowledge that the issue in Kashmir is largely of a political nature has worsened the already volatile situation,” Mr Abdullah said following an hour-long meeting with the President.

Incidentally, it was during Mr Abdullah’s tenure as chief minister and with Congress in power at the Centre that the Valley witnessed unprecedented turbulence in 2010 in which 107 people were killed.

The former chief minister was accompanied by, among others, state Congress chief G.A. Mir, CPM MLA M.Y. Tarigami and a number of Opposition MLAs including independents.

“We have requested the President to impress upon the Central government to initiate a credible and meaningful process of political dialogue without any further delay involving all stakeholders to address the political issue in the state,” Mr Abdullah added.

“The fire that has been raging in the Valley for the last 42 days has already started spreading across Peer Panjal and Chenab Valley in Jammu region and Kargil area. I wonder when would they wake up as the situation is grave,” he said.

Mr Abdullah alleged that both the Centre and state were trying to “crush” the agitation using administrative measures including stopping sale of petrol and other essential commodities.